The Cowboy's Spring Romance

by Shanna Hatfield

  “That is quite enough, young lady,” Christine snapped. “A girl like you doesn’t get that many chances at a successful marriage, so don’t start telling me what I can or can’t do. You’re going to need all the help you can get. If it wasn’t for his family, I’d insist you pack up and spend the summer with your brother. Why didn’t you tell me Trent was one of the Triple T Thompsons? Everyone has heard of them, knows how successful they are. Why, just think of the money they could drop at one of my sorority auctions.”

  “What do you mean a girl like me?” Lindsay asked, wondering if her mother had any idea how her words cut her to the quick.

  “Surely you realize that men prefer a woman who looks like a woman. One who is lovely, soft, petite and feminine. They don’t want a woman who is taller and stronger than they are. How do you not know this, Lindsay? I tried and tried to teach you about these things.”

  Lindsay’s anger had gone past the boiling point and was now bordering on exploding. Sitting up, she looked her mother straight in the eye and stared at her for a moment. She waited until her mother started twisting her ring nervously before she spoke.

  “What I know is that you are so disappointed I didn’t turn out exactly like you, like how you wanted me to be, that you are going to miss out on the rest of your daughter’s life. I’m happy, mother. I’m in love with a wonderful man who loves me just the way I am. If you want any part in my future, then you are going to have to learn to accept me and love me. Otherwise, we are going to have to be done.”

  “Done? What are you talking about,” Christine said, with a sense that something important was about to slip out of her grasp.

  “Let me make it plain for you, so even you can’t misunderstand. Starting today, you love me for me, faults and all, or you will no longer be welcome in my home or in my life. I’m tired of you chipping away at my confidence, belittling me and not showing me any respect. I’ve more than earned it and I won’t put up with your cruel behavior any longer. I’m no longer the little girl you could bully into submission. So love me or leave, Mother. The choice is yours.”

  “Fine, I’ll be leaving right now.”

  Christine snatched up her purse and stormed out the door. Lindsay almost ran outside to call her back, worried about her driving home late, but stopped herself. Her mother needed to think about what she said. She didn’t want to alienate her, but she was through tolerating the older woman’s barbed remarks and hurtful actions.

  Dragging herself to bed, Lindsay slept soundly, feeling lighter for finally speaking her mind to her mother. She would worry about the repercussions later.

  Chapter Twenty

  Men always want to be a woman's first love - women like to be a man's last romance.

  Oscar Wilde

  Arriving at the ranch the next afternoon, Lindsay smiled as Trent ran up to her car and opened the door. Her fingers weren’t quite so swollen and her wrist was feeling almost back to normal. She hoped by tomorrow to resume her running schedule or she wouldn’t be able to compete in the marathon. She had only a few weeks left for training and needed to make the most of every day.

  Holding her good hand as she stepped out of the car, Trent pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek.

  “How are you holding up, Princess?”

  “I’m okay,” she said, leaning into the strength he offered.

  “Did your mother leave?” he asked, half expecting the haughty woman to be in the car with Lindsay.

  “Yes. I…um…we sort of had a fight last night. She got mad and went home,” Lindsay said, feeling bad about fighting with her mother, even if it was a long time coming.

  “I’m sorry, Lindsay. Are you sure you’re okay,” Trent asked, rubbing his hands comfortingly along her back as he held her.

  “No, I’m not okay.” Lindsay, who was not given to tears, felt them stinging her eyes. “I told her if she couldn’t love me as I am that I don’t want to see her again.”

  “Oh,” Trent said, not certain what to say.

  “You should have heard her, Trent. Making plans on how I could, to quote her, reel you in. She told me men don’t like women like me,” Lindsay said on a choked whisper. “That men want a woman who is lovely, soft, feminine and petite.”

  Pushing Lindsay back so he could look in her warm blue eyes, Trent brushed away her tears then kissed each cheek. “She’s right on a few counts, Princess. Men like a woman who is soft and lovely and feminine. When I think of those things, you pop right in my head. Your skin is so soft and smooth, your scent teases me even when you aren’t in the room because it lingers in my heart. With those gorgeous blue eyes, that perfect smile, your glorious head of silky golden hair, and the way your clothes curve just right, you are about the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “Trent,” Lindsay breathed his name.

  “Where your mother is wrong is in assuming all men like a petite woman. They scare me half to death! I’d be afraid I’d crush one accidentally. Now Cady, she’s not tall like you, but she’s not what I’d call petite either. Trey loves her to distraction. You take rambunctious, big ol’ boys like us Thompsons. We don’t get all worked up about a petite woman. We want a woman who makes us feel important and strong and maybe even a little like her hero. We like women who are real and warm and passionate, who fill our arms and our hearts. And sugar, you do that just fine.”

  Trent didn’t wait for Lindsay to respond. Instead, he kissed her deeply, drawing her closer to him. He was about to get lost in his longing for the amazing woman in his arms, when he felt a slap on his back.

  “Let her come up for some air, bro,” Trey teased as he waggled his eyebrows and walked into the house.

  Lindsay blushed and buried her head against Trent. She could feel a chuckle rumbling in his chest before he took her hand and escorted her inside.

  After dinner, Lindsay was getting ready to leave when Buddy ran up and licked her good hand. Rubbing the dog’s head, she and Trent took him for a walk down to the pond. The dog was positively crazy over retrieving sticks out of the water. Trent would throw them out and the dog would dive in, get the stick and paddle back to the shore, ready to do it all over again.

  Lindsay was convinced the big dog was actually smiling when he came back out of the water.

  “So this thing with your mom,” Trent said, not sure what to say. “Can I do anything to make it better? Call and talk to her?”

  Lindsay looked at him in surprise. After her mother had been nothing but rude to him, practically called him names, she was amazed he would still offer to try to smooth things over for her. Trent once again impressed her with his caring and good heart.

  “You do know you can’t fix everything, don’t you?” she asked as Buddy swam out in the pond.

  “Nope. If there’s a problem you just keep working it around until you come up with a solution,” Trent said, wanting to help Lindsay.

  “I suppose you are one of those cavedwellers who erroneously believes he needs to fight all his woman’s battles and never let her think for herself,” Lindsay said, feeling her temper spark. She was still licking her wounds from her battle with her mother, and felt testy as well as out of sorts.

  “I never said that at all,” Trent said, taken aback by Lindsay’s words and the growing anger he could see in her face and body language. “I just wanted to let you know if you need help, I’m here.”

  Lindsay relaxed a little and released the breath she was holding. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m still worked up about everything Mother said.”

  “It’s okay, Princess. Don’t worry about it,” Trent said, looping his arm around her shoulders. He led her to a bench and they sat watching Buddy swim around the pond, trying to chase a duck.

  As they sat there, Lindsay’s mind kept tumbling around the questions her mother stirred up yesterday regarding how many trips Trent had made “around the block.” Lindsay knew Trent dated more than his share of girls since she’d moved to Grass Valley. Goodness only knew how many he’
d dated before then. Maybe she was no more than a diversion until some new blood moved into the community. As doubts assailed her, she grew agitated.

  “How many girls have you sat with here on this bench?” she blurted out, catching Trent completely off guard.

  “What?” he asked, looking at her, incredulous and insulted. How could she think the love he felt for her, this relationship, this romance, was something he had casually participated in before? For him, it was an once-in-a-lifetime experience. He knew he had a reputation for dating many girls but most of them never went beyond a first date, few beyond a second. Never, not once, in all his years of playing the field had he ever felt anything close to what he felt for the woman sitting by his side.

  “You heard me. How many?” Lindsay said, her voice no longer holding any warmth, just accusations as she sat stiffly beside him.

  “Not that it should matter, but two. One of them is only five and the other is my mother,” Trent said, bewildered by Lindsay’s attitude and questions.

  “Oh,” Lindsay said, feeling relieved and somewhat chagrined that she let her mother’s words stir up trouble and distrust. She knew instinctively that Trent had never been this serious about a woman before. Her sincere hope was that there wouldn’t be one after her. She wanted to be the last romance Trent Thompson ever had. One that would last a lifetime.

  “Since we’re asking questions, how about you tell me how many guys you’ve taken home for Easter dinner or let tuck you in to bed when you were too tired to get yourself there?” Trent asked, feeling his ire take over his common sense. “How many guys have you let kiss you like this?”

  Trent roughly pulled her against him and gave her a kiss that was demanding, unrestrained, and more amazing than anything Lindsay had ever imagined possible. Placing her good hand against his chest to steady herself she felt his heart pounding wildly against her palm. Unable, unwilling to pull back, she returned his kiss with a fervor all her own.

  When their lips finally parted, Lindsay took a moment to collect her scattered thoughts.

  “How many?” he asked again, with his hand at the back of her neck, his eyes searing hotly into hers.

  “None, Trent. Not one,” Lindsay whispered. She dated several men in the last ten years, but her dates usually ended up with her being treated like one of the guys as they talked about sports and athletics rather than romance and love. “You aren’t the first guy to kiss me, but you’re the first to kiss me like that.”

  “Princess,” he growled, kissing her again. She felt him relax and his arms gently slid around her back. He turned her so she could rest against his chest, his chin on her head. “I didn’t mean… I shouldn’t have…”

  “I’m glad you did,” Lindsay said, feeling calm for the first time since her mother had walked in her door yesterday. “I’m sorry for being grumpy.”

  “I’m sorry for getting testy,” he said, kissing her neck. “I love you, Princess. More than anything.”

  “I love you, too.”

  ><><

  In the following days, Lindsay intensified her running routine, determined to place at the marathon. As the calendar rolled into May, the weather turned to that blissful state of springtime when the days are warm and sunny without being too hot, the earth smelled inviting and fresh, and a sweet anticipation hung thick in the air.

  Trent, along with Trey, Travis and all their hands, were busy from before dawn to well past dusk with farm and ranch work.

  Although they texted or called each other several times a day, Lindsay hadn’t seen Trent except at church or across the Thompson’s dinner table for two weeks. She missed him more than she thought she could ever miss another human being.

  She missed watching his eyes twinkle with mischief, the smile that crinkled the corners of those wonderful eyes, the strength of his chin when he stubbornly set it. She missed his outdoorsy scent, and his long, callused fingers twined with her own. She missed resting against his solid chest, the warmth of his hands rubbing gently on her back, and the way her insides heated when he called her princess.

  Deciding she couldn’t go another day without at least a quick kiss hello and goodbye, she drove to the Triple T on her way home from school. Pulling in by the back door, Cass waved from the yard where she played with the dogs.

  Stepping out of the car, Cass ran over and threw her arms around Lindsay. “Hi, Miss Lindsay. Did you come for dinner? Mama’s making strawberry pie for dessert.”

  “Well, that sounds pretty tempting,” Lindsay said, taking the little girl’s hand as they walked in the house. Cady was busy putting big pans of chicken casserole in the oven, but looked up at her guest with a smile.

  “Hey, stranger, haven’t seen you around for a while,” Cady said, pouring them each a glass of iced tea and motioning for Lindsay to take a seat on a bar stool at the counter. “How is your training going? Are you ready for the marathon?”

  “I think I’ll be ready for this Saturday,” Lindsay said, sipping the sweet tea, looking sad and forlorn. “Lonnie said he and Maren will be there to cheer me on.”

  “But…” Cady said, waiting for Lindsay to expound on what put the gloomy look on her face.

  “It’s just that… I was hoping… I wanted,” Lindsay said, drawing a pattern on the countertop with her fingertip. Cady continued to look at her expectantly, waiting for her to continue. “I haven’t spoken to my parents since she came to visit and my dad always comes to watch me. I know everyone here is busy with the first cutting of hay and can’t come. I guess I’m just a little disappointed. In my head, I was envisioning everyone at the finish line cheering for me.”

  “Oh, Lindsay,” Cady said, giving her a hug. “Have you asked Trent if he will go? I’m sure he’d make the time if he knew how important it was to you.”

  “I don’t want to make him feel like he has to go. I want him to want to be there without me asking, you know?”

  “I do know, but sometimes you have to spell these things out for men. You really have to spell it out for the Thompson boys, especially when they are so busy with ranch work they can’t see straight.” Cady said with a warm smile.

  Lindsay responded with a sigh.

  “Think about talking to Trent. Maybe he’ll surprise you,” Cady said, getting back up to finish dinner. “You are staying for dinner, aren’t you?”

  “Sure,” Lindsay said, going to the sink to wash so she could help Cady make a salad and set the table.

  Lindsay left soon after the dishes were done, not knowing how to tell Trent how much she needed him to be at the race for her. As the days ticked by, she grew more withdrawn and quiet. Although he was so busy with the ranch work he could barely think of anything else, he noticed that something was wrong. When Trent tried to draw it out of Lindsay, she told him everything was fine and cut their conversation short.

  Hanging up the phone disgusted and upset, she couldn’t believe he had actually forgotten the race was only two days away. She understood the life of a busy rancher, but surely she had a right to a little of his time, too.

  Trent didn’t know what to think of Lindsay’s behavior this week and decided to ask Cady about it when they were through with work for the evening.

  Trooping in late, Cady visited with Trey, Travis and Trent as they sank down on barstools at the counter, gulping down cold water and indulging in bowls of ice cream.

  “Cady, do you know what put a burr in Lindsay’s blanket? She hung up on me today and all I did was ask what had her all worked up,” Trent said, savoring the cold confection sliding down his throat. There was nothing like a bowl of ice cream at the end of a hard day.

  “Think about it Trent. I know you can figure this out all by yourself,” Cady said, licking ice cream off a spoon.

  “I’m too tired to think about it. Can’t you give me a hint?” Trent pleaded, trying to look weary and dejected and doing a good job of it.

  “No. You are on your own with this,” Cady said, patting his arm. “Think about something tha
t is extremely important to Lindsay right now.”

  Trent continued eating his ice cream, thinking of everything going on with Lindsay. She was still upset about her mother, he knew that much. School was out in a few weeks and she was busy with year-end activities. Her fingers were no longer swollen and her wrist was fine. He worried about her running when they were still injured, but assumed it hadn’t caused any damage.

  Dropping the spoon in the bowl, he looked up at Cady wide-eyed.

  “Her race! The marathon is this weekend,” Trent said half-rising off the stool. How could he have forgotten something that mattered so much to Lindsay? She must think he was the most uncaring dolt on the planet.

  “Bingo!” Cady said, grinning widely. “I knew you’d remember. Lindsay is upset because she thinks you aren’t going to be there, that no one except Lonnie will be there. She had hopes we all could cheer her on, especially her dad.”

  “Well, why can’t we?” Trey asked as he snatched another cinnamon cookie to go along with the last of his ice cream.

  “Why can’t we what?” Trent said.

  “Be there for her. I think we all should go. She’s worked too hard for this not to have the people who care about her most there to celebrate when she crosses the finish line.”

  “Are you serious, bro?” Travis asked, feeling Trey’s forehead. “We’ve got 300 acres of hay to finish and fence to mend and …”

  “I know all that, but sometimes people are more important than things. One day away from the ranch won’t set the planet off kilter. What do you say, Trent? Shall we declare Saturday an official Lindsay holiday and all go to Portland?”